State Politics
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New findings highlight the Houston neighborhoods that are most at risk for cancer-causing particles
The TCEQ has carefully followed a series of air-quality monitors for the past few years, and one pollutant has made itself more known than others: PM2.5, a cancer-causing particle that can easily lodge itself into residents’ lungs.
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New Harris County worksite policy aims to prevent injuries, fatalities on construction sites
Approved by Harris County commissioners at a Nov. 13 court meeting, the Worksite Safety Policy will now mandate 15-minute water breaks every two hours when the temperature is 90 degrees or higher. So far in 2025, Houston experienced 134 days where the temperature was at least 90 degrees.
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7 ways to give back in Houston during the holiday season
From volunteering to donations, these seven Houston charities and nonprofits help you give back to those facing hardship in our community during the holidays.
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Opinion: Change starts in the comments—Meet Ricky Longoria, author of ‘Texas Tea’
Welcome to Texas Tea, a monthly column by a 24-year-old political activist, Ricky Longoria. Ricky views what’s happening in Texas from a unique lens.
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Houston ISD expands breakfast, after school food programs as SNAP benefits continue to be delayed
As the future of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits remains uncertain during the federal government shutdown, a local school district is stepping up to make sure their students don’t go hungry.
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Where to get food resources in Texas as SNAP benefits are set to pause for November
This article was last updated Nov. 2 at 3:50 p.m. As the federal government shutdown drags on, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to pause its benefits for the month of November, leaving million of low-income Texans unsure about where they’ll get their next meals. The government shutdown started on Oct. 1, due…
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All aboard the Silver Line! Ride free between Plano and DFW airport through Nov. 8
DART’s Silver Line is officially up and running. Here’s what you need to know about its 10 station stops.
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Nearly 75K Houstonians cast a ballot during the first week of early voting in Texas
One week of early voting is in the books for Harris County, and the unofficial numbers have fallen short compared to past years. The good news is that Houstonians still have until Friday to cast their ballot before Election Day.
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Grab a free ride to the polls during early voting in Houston with METRO
Transit authorities across Houston are offering free rides to the polls during the early voting period (which lasts until Oct. 31) and on Election Day (which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 4 this year). The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is offering free roundtrip rides to Houstonians looking to cast their vote.
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Report: 161 Texans killed by domestic violence in 2024
There were 161 domestic violence deaths in Texas last year, according to the Honoring Texas Victims report by the Texas Council on Family Violence.
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‘It seems to be a target’: Removal of famous Montrose rainbow crosswalks sparks outrage
Just over a week after the iconic Montrose rainbow crosswalk was repainted following construction, orders from Gov. Greg Abbott are forcing the city to paint over it again.
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The Social Security Administration is no longer issuing paper checks. Here’s what you need to know
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has switched to electronic forms of payment. Here’s how you can set up your automatic payments with ease.
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How the government shutdown could hurt thousands of Texans
The federal government shut down early Wednesday, meaning nearly 250,000 federal employees and members of the military in Texas won’t receive paychecks.
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Rate of uninsured children in TX tops list
Texas has the highest uninsured rate for children in the nation. That’s according to a report from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.
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8 creepy facts about Texas that textbooks leave out
From unsolved murders to unsettling origins of town names, these creepy facts about Texas will make your skin crawl.
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17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.
By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune “17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The…
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New redistricting maps won’t impact US House special election in Houston
Voters in Houston’s 18th Congressional District head to the polls in November to pick a replacement for US Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in March.
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Rising Democratic star James Talarico announces run for US Senate in Texas
State Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian and former middle school teacher, announced Tuesday that he’s running for US Senate.
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Op-Ed: Central Texas deserves better than Rep. John Carter
Our communities have changed. They’ve grown. They’re focused on the future. We deserve a representative who’s ready to grow with us.
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Houston aims to improve water billing issues by replacing thousands of faulty meters
In Houston, long periods of heat often mean higher water use. But for some residents, the real shock comes in the mail—faulty meters have been misreading their water for years.
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A Texas congressman is quietly helping Elon Musk pitch building $760M tunnels under Houston to ease flooding
By Lauren McGaughy, Texas Newsroom, and Yilun Cheng, Houston Chronicle Aug. 28, 2025 “A Texas congressman is quietly helping Elon Musk pitch building $760M tunnels under Houston to ease flooding” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics,…
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Houston approves costly crosswalk upgrades for student safety. Critics say there are better options
After a high school student was hit by an SUV near Lamar High Schoo in Augustl, Houston mayor John Whitmire has ordered crosswalk upgrades at the intersection of Eastside and Westheimer. The solution? A High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk installed by Houston Public Works that will allow students to press a button to activate a crossing light,…
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Opponents of TX redistricting say proposed maps would hurt minorities
Opponents of proposed redrawn Congressional maps in Texas say the changes will hurt Latino, Black and Asian voters.
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OPINION: Texas voters should decide who gets elected to Congress, not anti-democratic state laws
Its slash-and-burn cuts to Medicaid, senseless restrictions on food assistance programs, and permanent tax breaks for the wealthy are, surprisingly, not the only source of my anger. As a 40-year resident of Houston, I’m more enraged that our district’s needs and demands were cut from the conversation.
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For some Texas students, citizenship isn’t enough to feel safe
Texas college students are fearful that their citizenship status will not be enough to protect them from the current ICE raids.
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Op-Ed: 60 years later, we’re still fighting for the soul of our democracy
I will not stop fighting. I will not stop speaking. I will not stop marching inside and outside the chamber until every Texan has fair and full access to the ballot that was promised them in 1965.
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Harris County leader wants voters to extend child care efforts as pandemic funding runs out
Harris County leader wants voters to extend child care efforts as pandemic funding runs out By Jess Huff, The Texas Tribune Aug. 4, 2025 “Harris County leader wants voters to extend child care efforts as pandemic funding runs out” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans —…
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Texas Republicans unveil new congressional maps targeting 5 Democratic US House seats
Texas Republicans proposed new maps for US House seats in the state, targeting five Democratic districts in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and South Texas.
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A power grab in plain sight: Inside Texas Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting push
Texas Republicans are backing a mid-decade redistricting campaign to secure GOP control of Congress, a move that Democrats and civil rights activists call a partisan power grab driven by Donald Trump.
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North Texans fight back against ‘racist’ redistricting
Hundreds of people testified against the redrawing of congressional maps during a hearing at the University of Texas at Arlington on Monday.
